Aug 17, 2010

With summer coming to a close and fall ready to begin, it's important to get excited about what's ahead -- colour. Nova Scotia is well known for its beautiful fall weather and the diverse array of colour that blooms on the trees. It's a perfect time of year to celebrate warm breezes, sunny skys and bright foilage. This combination will make even the least likely walker among us want to lace up their shoelaces and head outside.

Luckily, our province has no shortage of places to walk and hike. The opportunities are endless. Whether you visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Cape Split, or Delap's Cove or whether you decide to just strol through a local park, through your neighborhood or through your backyard, there is no better way to take life in and enjoy everything that fall has to offer than by going for a walk.

Nova Scotia is a beautiful place surrounded by spectacular scenery and great moments waiting to happen. Summer, Fall, Winter or Spring, it's a wonderful place to explore - on foot.

Yes, on foot. Because the best way to see what's around you, is through the freedom of foot travel. There are no blind spots to worry about, no traffic, no car horns blaring, no distractions. Just you, your feet, and the great outdoors.

Aug 11, 2010

On Sunday August 8, after walking 2,995 kilometers through 88 communities and logging 3.4 million steps, Emily Forrest ended her almost three month long adventure in front of a crowd of close to 100 supporters.

Looking fresh, relaxed and ready for her next step, this amazing walker heard from a few people who were impressed by her accomplishment

Heart and Stroke Foundation Board Chair Dr. Gord Gubitz; Mininster of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Ramona Jennex; and members of the Valley Trekkers Walking Club all took their turns praising Emily for identifying a goal and then taking action to fulfill that goal.

And, since no Nova Scotia event would be complete without music, the soulful sounds of Brazillian group Samba Nova created a celebratory atmosphere that any walker would enjoy - especially one who just completed 2,995 kilometers along the Nova Scotia coastline.

Aug 2, 2010

This week I spent with One, Two , Three and Four in the HRM. When we could drag ourselves away from the beach, we found a few things to do that kept us outside. One of the most fun things was developing a hidden trail . We climbed over branches, through a muddy bog and some brambles to discover a neatly tucked away trail that led to the local playground. On the way we found old stone cellars ( possibly the foundation of a farmhouse of One and Three's great grandparents.) We found markings to keep the horses who used to use the trail from falling in cellars which may have store food in early times. We also found a huge stone fence which was the property line marker I think. The stones were giant sized and I can't imagine dragging them to form the fence but the pioneers must have been much hardier than I.But mostly we found old socks. ( Don't ask me why!). There were some pretty awesome rocks as well and this is one example of one that the adventurers were able to scale. Then it was over the hill and to the playground. Lots of swinging, monkey bar climbing, and snacking later, we made our way home , this time coming out in the more conventional way by the side of the lane they live on. All in all the trail cut about 2 miles off the jaunt and kept them out of traffic and certainly was more daring than going by car.

I highly recommend finding a trail near you to go exploring.(Grandchildren optional)